Fuel and crisis grants feature prominently in North Lanarkshire 'cost of living' budget

dailyrecord.co.uk:

North Lanarkshire has imposed a council tax rise of three per cent and is spending £13 million on cost of living and Covid recovery projects in the year ahead after setting its 2022-2023 budget.

Council leader Jim Logue described the plans – including £475,000 for pensioners’ energy bills, a further £500,000 for community crisis grants, plus £2 million each for sports pitches and for mandatory 20mph limits at schools – by saying: “This budget is on the side of residents.”He outlined the administration’s budget as covering the three priority areas of supporting young people in the post-pandemic period, environmental investment and the rising cost of living, which he said “will affect every resident in North Lanarkshire, particularly the most vulnerable”.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Labour’s budget proposal was passed at a three-hour virtual meeting of North Lanarkshire members after gaining more support than both the SNP and Conservative groups’ amended alternative financial plans.The three per cent council tax rise was agreed by both the Labour and SNP groups; while the Conservatives had proposed a smaller two per cent rise, which was then to have been covered in full for 12 months by a rebate scheme for householders.